Sociology 3

The Social Teachings of

the Church

I. INTRODUCTION
References

Compendium of the Social

Doctrine of the Church
DeBerri and Hug, et. al.
Catholic Social Teaching:
Our Best Kept Secret.
Maryknoll, NY: Orbis
Books, 2003
- social wisdom deeply
rooted in the Catholic
Tradition; they are based
on:
a)Scriptures
b)Traditions
c) Scholastic and
Christian philosophies
d) Contemporary
experience of people of
God struggling to live out
their faith in justice
The Social Mission of the
Church
The Churchs Best Kept
Secret
1) The documents are
abstract, dry in content
and not very attractive to
pick up and read
The Churchs Best Kept
Secret

2) The topics frequently are

quite challenging, dealing with
controversial issues and
therefore may disturb readers
and make them uncomfortable
The Churchs Best Kept
Secret
3) A Papal Encyclical is at
least, in most peoples minds
are often immediately
associated with disputes,
debates and dissent over the
Churchs position on birth
control
The Churchs Best Kept
Secret

4) Authoritative statements
nowadays whether from
church or government have
less attraction than acts of
authentic witness
 OBJECT OF SOCIAL
DOCTRINES

Critical reflection on:

The existing social structures
& collective action
The Social Mission of the
Church
Nature of CST
The Catholic
Churchs
developed (and
developing)
body of
teachings on
social,
economic,
political, and
cultural matters.
http://www.clickexist.com/2013/03/28/the-only-thing-necessary-for-the-triumph-of-evil-is-for-good-men-to-do-nothing-edmund-burke/
The Social Mission of the
Church

Why does the Church

have to speak on
these matters?
The Social Mission of the
Church
1) It is an integral part of
the Churchs evangelizing
and spiritual mission
because we are following the
own example of Jesus (CSDC,
66)
The Social Mission of the
Church
2) We are an incarnational
Church
(CSDC, 60; GS, 1)
The Social Mission of the
Church
3) We are
responding to
the questions
posed by
humanity
reading the
signs of
the times
(GS,
The Social Mission of the
Church
4) Love of God is
inseparable from the love
of neighbor (Justice in the
World, 34)
The Social Mission of the
Church
1 John 4:20

(Matthew 25: 40)

Introductory Concepts:
Think before you act (Mater
et Magistra, nos. 236-241)

SEE-JUDGE-ACT
METHOD
Introductory Concepts
Justice and Social Justice
First, what is
Justice?
the virtue by which
we respect the
inherent rights of
other and render to
them and to God what
is their due in fairness
and uprightness (cf.
CCC, no. 1897)
Introductory Concepts
Social Justice
Based on the principle
that persons do not
live in isolation - social
beings living in a
community (MM, 219)
Since human
beings are social,
justice should
extend to social
relationships.
Introductory Concepts
The two feet of SOCIAL
JUSTICE:
JUSTICE & CHARITY
- Justice is the primary way to charity- if
we love others, then we must first of all be
just towards them. (Pope Benedict XVI)
Introductory Concepts
Our lives are our
responsibility
Dignity of human
freedom
CCC, no. 1705,
Gaudium et Spes, no.
17, Sirach 15: 14
God created us as
rational beings with
freedom; freedom is
an inseparable part
of our dignity.
Introductory Concepts
Freedom makes
persons
responsible for
their actions to the
extent that they
are voluntary (CCC,
no. 1734)

It should be
free from undue
pressures and
influences
Introductory Concepts
In summary:
Think before you act
Justice is always better
than injustice
The demand of Justice is
higher than the demand of
Charity
My life is my responsibility